Understanding pneumatics

The development of the machine and industrial manufacturing technology during the last 100 yr has run parallel with the growth of pneumatics.

By Joseph L. Foszcz

03/01/1999

Share

The development of the machine and industrial manufacturing technology during the last 100 yr has run parallel with the growth of pneumatics. Industrial pneumatics converts the energy of compressed air into movements and forces for machine drive mechanisms by means of cylinders and motors controlled by valves.

Modern manufacturing processes are characterized by a high degree of automation, with electronics controlling the processing and handling machinery. In many applications, the driving force is provided by pneumatics. The reason for this popularity is that over 60% of all machine movements are linear, which are much simpler to accomplish with pneumatic cylinders rather than electric motors. This application is especially true in automated manufacturing processes which involve a great many clamping, holding, and transportation tasks.

This book is a complete hands-on reference that contains the basic fundamentals of the subject. It includes many descriptive illustrations and diagrams that help technicians and engineers understand pneumatics as it applies to practical applications.

Contents include a functional description of devices such as driving devices, signaling devices, controlling devices, actuators, vacuum engineering, and flow control valves. Also described are nonreturn valves, pressure regulators, air preparation, accessories, control symbols, functional diagrams, circuit diagrams, and sample calculations.

Annual Salary Survey

Before the calendar turned, 2016 already had the makings of a pivotal year for manufacturing, and for the world.

There were the big events for the year, including the United States as Partner Country at Hannover Messe in April and the 2016 International Manufacturing Technology Show in Chicago in September. There's also the matter of the U.S. presidential elections in November, which promise to shape policy in manufacturing for years to come.

But the year started with global economic turmoil, as a slowdown in Chinese manufacturing triggered a worldwide stock hiccup that sent values plummeting. The continued plunge in world oil prices has resulted in a slowdown in exploration and, by extension, the manufacture of exploration equipment.